Knock-down table support frame



Dec. 13, 1960 c. B. HEYER 2,964,368

KNOCK-DOWN TABLE SUPPORT FRAME Filed Dec. 22, 1958 INVENTOR. C. B. HEYER ATTORNEY United States PatentO KNOCK-DOWN TABLE SUPPORT FRAME Clair B. Heyer, P.0. Box H, Milledgeville, Ill.

Filed Dec. 22, 1958, Ser. No. 782,043

3 Claims. (Cl. 31135) This invention relates to knock-down structures especially applicable in the field of pre-fabricated metal or equivalent sub-assemblies or components to which purchasers may contribute their own time, skills, and additional materials to complete the finished product, exemplary of which are picnic tables, ping pong tables, banquet tables, work tables and like structures involving the interconnection of a pair of more of upright spaced apart end elements to afford support for a top and related parts.

In the field of picnic and like tables, for example, numerous and varied attempts have been made in the past to achieve simplicity, economy and attractive appearance by the use of basic metal components to which wooden components may be added, but in most if not all of these, problems concerning shipment, disassembly for storage, etc. were overlooked or at best were only partially solved because the assembly of the prefabricated components was inextricably tied up with the added components. If the knock-down feature has heretofore been exploited at all with any degree of success, it has been largely at the expense of economy, rigidity and compactness.

According to the present invention, the past disadvantages are avoided while retaining known advantages and adding others in a simple assembly of prefabricated or equivalent upright end frames and a single brace frame which spans the end frames medially thereof. To this is added the feature of means whereby the three basic frames may be rcleasably interconnected in final position, and a subsidiary feature in this respect is the embodiment in said means of downwardly connectible and upwardly separable hook and socket devices among the frames whereby the end frames may be stood upright and the opposite ends of the brace frame simply hooked or dropped into place.

The invention features further means on the end frames for supporting a table top for example, and such means is so related to the brace means that when the table top is assembled and installed it automatically prevents upward separation of the hook and socket devices. In this regard, each end frame has a top-supporting bar to which the top may be assembled to form, with said bars, an essentially unitary panel which is removable and installable as a basic part of the whole multipart assembly. Further, the top bars are so related to the end frames that when assembled with the top and end frames the entire structure is rigidified by employing these bars and the inherent strength of the top, particularly against twisting about the vertical axes of the hook and socket means.

The foregoing and other important objects and desirable features inherent in and encompassed by the invention will become apparent as a preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed, by way of example, in the ensuing description and accompanying drawing, the several figures of which are described below.

- Figure 1 is a perspective of a completed table, a picnic table style being shown by way of example.

Figure 2 is a perspective of the basic frame structure for a table of the type shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged section on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

The table structure chosen for purposes of illustration comprises a pair of similar upright end means or frames 10, spaced apart in parallel upright planes and assembled with and maintained normally or usably in that relation by a single brace means or frame 12. The completed assembly of the picnic table style shown here includes a table top 14, means in the form of bars 16 (Figure 2) for mounting the top, seats 18, and means in the form of supports 20 (Figure 2) for mounting the seats.

Each end frame is preferably although not necessarily constructed largely of tubular members welded together and as such has a pair of generally upright legs 22 shaped as shown at 2 4 to afford bottom portions adapted to rest on the ground or floor, and these portions are extended upwardly as standards 26 to receive sockets 28 rigid on the seat supports 21). The particular type of mounting of the seats as to the sockets 28 is not claimed as new here, and in the broader aspects of the invention other seat mounts could be employed, and, in the case of tables of other types (e.g., ping-pong, banquet, etc), the seats and the mounts, as well as the portions 24-26 would be omitted.

"the upper terminal ends of the legs are rigidly crossconnected by an upper horizontal member 30 which is of inverted L-shaped section to alford an upper flat surface or flange 32 and an integral depending vertical flange 34. Here again the construction involves welding, as at 36 (Figure 3), and welding at 58 is used in the case of a lower transverse tubular member 40 which rigidly crossconnects the legs 22 at intermediate portions thereof. The particular shape of the legs shown here is to adapt the assembly to the picnic table style, but it will be clear that for ping-pong tables, work tables, etc. the portions 2426 would be omitted, as already stated.

When the two end frames are stood up and temporarily held, with their bottom portions 22 resting on the ground or floor, their sides that face each other may be regarded at their inner sides and the opposite sides are of course their outer sides. The end frames being similar, the upper flanges 32 of the members 30 will be horizontally coplanar, with the depending flanges 34 of said members disposed at the respective outer sides of the frames. The cross members 40 will also be at a common level.

Each upper member 30 carries a vertically apertured element or lug 42 which is rigidly secured thereto centrally thereof and at the inner side of its end frame. Welding at 44 is shown as representative means for mounting the lug. The top surface of the lug is slightly below the upper surface 34 of the member 30, preferably by a distance substantially equal to the vertical dimension of the upper portion of the brace frame 12, which upper portion is here constituted by a bar 46, preferably tubular. The lower cross member 40 of each end frame similarly rigidly carries a lower apertured element or lug 48 which is directly below and in vertical alinement with the respective upper lug 44. These lugs comprise part of the means for detachably interconnecting the end frames 10 via the spanning brace frame 12.

The brace frame is here in the form of a rigid trusslike structure made up of the top member 46 already described and a pair of downwardly and outwardly inclined diagonal parts 50, rigidly secured to the member 46 as by welding at 52, plus a pair of welded-in uprights 54. The ends of the top member 46 are turned downwardly as upper hooks or pintles 56, and a similar pattern is followed to provide lower hooks or pintles 58 respectively on the free ends of the diagonal brace frame parts 50. The pintles 56-58 at each end of the base frame are vertically coaxial and are further spaced apart on the order of the respective lugs 42 and 48 so as to be downwardly receivable by and upwardly separable from said lugs. Thus, with the end frames temporarily supported in upright positions, the pintles, cooperating with the lugs as hook and socket devices or means, may be readily connected to rigidify the three frames as a basic support, the brace frame diagonals 50 operating in brace fashion in this function.

It is a feature of this invention to additionally stabilize and rigidify the basic support by the addition of the table top 14 and its mounting bars 16, particularly as respects the function of these components in preventing twisting of the end frames relative to the brace frame about the vertical axes of the hook and socket devices 56-42 and 58-48. For this purpose, the mounting bars 16 are preferably angle bars and have their horizontal flanges apertured at 60 to receive a plurality of bolts 62, or equivalent fasteners (Figures 1 and 3), for mounting the top 14, which may be a single sheet of plywood, for example; although, here again, the details of the table top as such are not material. In addition, the vertical flanges of the bars 16 are apertured at 64 (Figure 4) to receive a plurality of pins 66 which pass through registering apertures 68 in the depending flanges 34 of the respective cross members 30. The pins 66 may be of the type retained by cotters, as at 70; although, any suitable removable fasteners may be employed.

Each mounting bar 16 is pre-assembled on the top 14 and paired with an upper member 30 so that their vertical flanges are back-to-back and their upper surfaces 32-72 are horizontally coplanar (Figure 4). Since, as previously described, the upper lugs 42 are spaced below the level of the surfaces 32-72 by the vertical thickness of the brace frame top member 46, this member will have its upper edge coplanar, or substantially so, with the surfaces 32-72. Hence, when the top 14, previously assembled to the mounting bars 16 with the bars spaced to straddle the spaced upper members 30, is placed in position, its underside will overlie the member 46 (Figure 3), and, when the pins 66 are in place, the bars 16 will be secured to the members 30 and the table top 14 will prevent upward displacement of the brace frame 12, thus insuring the connection of the hook and socket means 56-42 and 58-48.

Moreover, since the bars 16 and members 30 are backto-back as respects their vertical flanges, a pair of substantial contact areas are in effect to rigidify the structure against twisting about the vertical axes of the hook and socket means, since the table top 14 is inherently rigid against diamond distortion. The seats 18 may be of suitable planks or the like secured to the seat supports 20 as by fasteners 74.

It will be found that the completed assembly is light and sturdy and relatively easy to move, as by being skidded over the ground and floor because of the shape and contour of the bottom portions 24. The structure may be readily assembled on the basis of the economically produced prefabricated components 10, 12, 16 and 20, plus the fasteners 62 and 66 and the wooden elements required to make the seats and table top. Once assembled to the bars 16, the top 14 and these bars may be handled as a unit and when removed by releasing the fasteners 66 will enable upward separation of the brace frame from the end frames via the hook and socket devices 56-42 and 58-48, and the several subsections may be readily stored or transported.

The foregoing features, including the design of the structure with or without provision for the seats, will readily suggested to those versed in the art many other variations on the principles ofthe invention and the application thereof, all of which are to be regarded as falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A table structure, comprising: a pair of spaced apart upright similar end frames having bottom portions, each end frame having an inner side facing the other end frame, an opposite outer side and a transverse horizontal upper member of inverted L-shaped section affording a horizontal upper flange and an upright flange depending at said outer side, said upper flanges lying in a common horizontal plane; means on the inner side of each end frame and centrally thereof providing an upper vertically apertured element adjacent to and at a level below the proximate upper flange and a lower vertically apertured element spaced below and vertically alined with said upper element; a single brace frame extending between the end frames and having rigid thereon at each end thereof upper and lower depending pintles spaced apart vertically on the order of and downwardly receivable respectively in the apertured elements, said brace frame having an upper portion generally at the level of the upper flanges of said upper members; and means for supporting a table top on the end frames, including a pair of top bars positionable respectively parallel to and alongside the upright flanges of the upper members for rigid attachment to said members, said top bars respectively having upper surfaces in the plane of said upper flanges for carrying such table top with its under side in overlying relation to the brace member so as to prevent upward disconnection of said brace frame from the end frames.

2. A table structure, comprising: a pair of spaced apart upright similar end frames having bottom portions, each end frame having an inner side facing the other end frame, an opposite outer side and a transverse horizontal uppermember affording a horizontal upper surface, said upper surfaces lying in a common horizontal plane; a single brace frame extending between the end frames generally in an upright plane normal to and centrally of the end frames and having opposite end portions respectively proximate to the inner sides of said end frames, said brace frame having an upper portion generally at the level of said upper surfaces; downwardly connectible and upwardly separable hook and socket means cooperative between the end portions of the brace frame and the inner sides of the respective end frames for removable interconnecting the three frames; and means for supporting a t ble top on the end frames, including a pair of top bars positionable respectively parallel to and alongside the upper members for rigid attachment to said members, said top bars respectively having upper surfaces in the plane of said upper surfaces of said upper member for carrying such table top with its under side in overlying relation to the brace member so as to prevent upward disconnection of said brace frame from the end frames.

3. A table structure, comprising: a pair of spaced apart upright similar end frames having bottom portions and each having an inner side facing the other of said end frames and each further having an opposite outer side; a single brace frame extending between the end frames generally in an upright plane normal to and centrally of the end frames and having opposite end portions respectively proximate to the inner sides of said end frames, and downwardly connectible and upwardly separable hook and socket means cooperative between the end portions of the brace frame and the inner sides of the end frames for removable interconnecting the three frames; means detachably mounted on the end frames at upper portions thereof for supporting a table top, said upper portions being at substantially the same level as the top of the brace frame so that a table top overlying said three frames presents its underside to said upper portions and to said top of the brace frame, and said detachable means including elements detachably secured socket means while the table top is in place.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Rooney July 10, 1906 Thomlison -1 Oct. 25, 1921 6 Thomlison Mar. 13, 1923 Meeker May 29, 1928 Hagan Sept. 18, 1951 Beller June 5, 1956 Bohn Sept. 10, 1957 Nimmo Oct. 29, 1957 Beller, et a1 Aug. 26, 1958 

